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Community Corner

Vineyard's Medical Marijuana Applicants Get Green Light from State for Phase 2

All four Martha's Vineyard-based applicants vying to become medical marijuana providers in Dukes County have been "invited" to the second round of the state application process — the one requiring a $30,000 non-refundable fee.

Louisa Hufstader, Neighbor
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The state-approved medical marijuana dispensary for Dukes County could wind up being operated by the man who runs the Our Island Card program: Geoffrey Rose, who has applied under the name Patient Centric of Martha's Vineyard, Ltd.

Or it could be a local businessman who owns a liquor store, bar and restaurant and gas station in Oak Bluffs: Mark Wallace, who with his son Jordan founded the Kingsbury Group, Inc., shortly after Massachusetts voters approved medical marijuana last November.


Perhaps the Vineyard's medical marijuana treatment center will be operated by acupuncturist Susan Sanford of Greenleaf MV Compassionate Care, Inc., who already runs Vineyard Complementary Medicine in West Tisbury.

Or the state could choose Michael Peters of MV Greencross, Inc.

All four applicants learned yesterday that they have passed the first round of the state application process for Dukes County. (Here is the state's full list of applicants approved for the second round.)

Kingsbury Group has also been "invited to Phase 2," as the state terms it, for its two applications in Barnstable County

In order to move forward for consideration in Phase 2, applicants must put down a $30,000, non-refundable fee, on top of the $1,500 fee for Phase 1.

Successful applicants will pay a $50,000 annual registration fee to do business as the state's designated pot provider. (See Massachusetts Fees for Use and Sale of Medical Marijuana.)

The voter-approved Compassionate Use law allows the state to register up to 35 non-profit marijuana dispensaries across the state in the first year, with at least one but no more than five per county. 

State officials plan an informational meeting with applicants Oct. 10 in Somerville.

Which applicant do you think will be the best choice for Martha's Vineyard and Dukes County? Tell us in the comments.

What else is happening with medical marijuana on Martha's Vineyard?

Were you among the 74 percent of Island voters who approved the state ballot measure allowing medical marijuana? Why did you vote as you did? Please tell us in the comments.
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